Birman Cats
Cat Facts
Birman cats are beautiful semi-longhaired cats that most experts believe originated in Burma or as it is now known, the Republic of the Union of Myanmar situated in South East Asia. The Birman is a large, stocky cat. Their torso is described as fairly long, sturdy with muscles that are firm and strong. Their neck is well muscled, strong and thick. To compliment the body, their legs are medium in length, muscular, heavily boned and strong. The Birman's tail is well furnished with long hair and is medium-long and carried erect.
Birman cats have large, rounded and broad heads. This distinguished cat has a Roman-nose, prominent cheeks, firm chin and a well developed muzzle. Their round eyes are set well apart with the outer corners tilted slightly upwards. The only accepted eye-color is blue and this should be a very deep, vivid blue. To complete the picture the ears are round-pointed with the base width and height almost equal. Their semi-longhaired coat is silky in texture and has no undercoat and this means it has a low propensity to matt. A ruff around the neck is preferred and the hair on the flanks is longer. In certain instances, the fur on the stomach can be slightly curly. The Birman cat is a pointed cat - color points include the tail, face (mask), the ears and the legs, but excludes the paws. They have white gloves on their front and back paws. On the back paws the white can extend up to the hock. All Birmans should have white feet. The body coat-color should be even and the shading should be subtle, however, there should be a definite and strong contrast of color between the points and the body color. In terms of colors, you can choose between Blue, Red, Chocolate, Lilac, Cream and seal.
Personality and Temperament
Birman cats are relaxed, gentle, docile, affectionate lap cats. These cats are calm and well balanced, in other words, not too placid or too exuberant. The Birman breed is not quite as docile as the Persian, so you can expect some activity. They are quiet cats with soft 'bell-like' voices which they use sparingly and to have long conversations with you. They can be quite playful and love to explore. They love playing with toys and it keeps them amused for hours. This is a dignified cat who loves to be told how beautiful they are! These cats are little 'purr machines' - a gentle touch will get them going. These people-orientated cats get very attached to their owners and will follow you around the house just to be near you. Whilst they prefer peace and quiet, this does not include solitude. With this in mind, the ideal home for this cat would be a family with teenagers, the elderly or singles that are prepared to have two cats. They are sociable cats and while they would happily be the 'only pet' they do prefer companionship. They are excellent hunters and despite their appearance, are hardy athletic cats.
Birman Cat Information
Would they make good pets for children? Yes, they love children provided they aren't overly boisterous. Children need to be taught how to handle cats - they do not appreciate rough handling. Will they adapt to other family pets? Are they Animal Friendly? Yes, they are sociable and appreciate an animal companion - dogs or cats. Owners need to gradually introduce a new pet to the resident cats or dogs and respect the rights of the existing pets. Indoor or Outdoor? What would suit them best? Birman cats are by nature gentle and friendly cats which can be dangerous for a cat living outdoors. These cats do adapt well to apartment and indoor living, but they do enjoy exploring outdoors too. Create the ideal environment for your cat - an enclosed, escape-proof garden or an indoor adventure zone filled with toys, non-toxic plants, cat gyms and scratching posts. Caring for Your Cat Birman cats are medium maintenance cat breeds. They are easier to groom than other semi-or longhaired cats as they have no undercoat and are not prone to matting. They are prone to hairballs, so they do need weekly grooming.
Visit our grooming pages for complete cat care. Cat Health Concerns Generally this is a healthy breed., but some cats may suffer from or are prone to one or two of these health problems: - Azotaemia (a kidney problem)
- Distal axonopathy (neurological problem)
- Encephalomyelopathy (disease of the brain and spinal cord)
- Feline infectious peritonitis
- Renal calculi (kidney stone)
- Thrombo embolism (blood clots)
Do consider cat insurance for your cat and ensure that their feline vaccinations are up to date. Special Dietary Requirements
Birman cats are prone to obesity and hairballs. There are special commercial diets that can assist in reducing hairballs and controlling weight. It is important to keep your cat hydrated. Fresh, clean water should always be available to your cat. How much do Birman Cats Weigh? The average weight is 4.5 - 8 kg (9.9 lbs - 17.6 lbs). What is their Life Expectancy? A cat living indoors that receives annual vaccinations, a well balanced diet and exercise, is expected to have an average life span of 15+ years. 'How long do cats live?' - well that depends on a number of factors so do follow the link.
Related Cat Pages: Birman Kittens for Sale - cat breeders lists Birman - the legend of the Sacred Cats of Burma Pictures of Birman Cats - stunning pics of cats
Cat Photos Courtesy of © Theresa Fouche Photography: Sp Pr Quantox Pumkin Pye, Red Point Birman: Breeder: Di Evans; Owner: Shirley Addison Wynne Sp Pr Timshay Corelli, Seal Point: Breeder & Owner: Shirley Addison Wynne
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